September 12, 2014 – New Canadian Cancer Survivor Network Chair wants patients to have more say

September 12, 2014, Ottawa, Ontario – Former breast cancer patient Elaine Dean was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) at their recent Annual General Meeting.

Says CCSN President and CEO, Jackie Manthorne: “We are pleased to welcome Elaine as our incoming Board Chair. Her appointment will help CCSN continue to grow as an organization to achieve our mission, which is to empower collaborative action by cancer patients, families and communities to identify and work to remove barriers to optimal patient care.”

Elaine has been a volunteer member of CCSN Board of Directors since shortly after its incorporation in November 2011. Since 1990, she has participated as a trained consumer reviewer in peer review panels here in Canada as well as in the U.S. and overseas. Elaine has also served as spokesperson on breast cancer issues for CCSN, a role she will continue as Chair.

Says Elaine: “What is unique about CCSN is its ability to represent the voice of Canadians as cancer patients and cancer survivors, with Canada’s healthcare professionals, the public and with policy makers. As an organization, we are deeply committed to sharing the latest information available to Canadians about cancer. What we would like to see, is more active engagement of patients and former patients within Canada’s healthcare community.”

More than 2 in 5 of Canadians experience a cancer diagnosis over the course of their lifetime. While improvements continue to be made in the early diagnosis and treatment of the different forms of cancer, with research ongoing to find cures, more needs to be done.

Elaine’s election by CCSN members is an indication of the growing opinion within the organization that breast cancer patient and survivor concerns need more universal understanding and attention, and a seat at the table.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers both facing and feared by women in Canada today. Treatment is still not as effective or as coordinated as it should be, and unnecessary errors continue to be made in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Awareness continues to be a challenge, and more attention needs to be paid to the ongoing financial, emotional, family and workplace needs of Canadians and their families, who are experiencing or have experienced this disease.

To learn more about CCSN, please visit www.survivornet.ca or get engaged through social media:

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is a national organization representing patients, survivors and loved ones affected by any cancer, with 30 partner groups representing a number of cancers and cancer issues. CCSN’s mission is to empower collaborative action, provide education and action opportunities, educate the public and policy makers about the financial, emotional and health costs of cancer; and research ways to alleviate barriers to optimal patient care and follow-up.